In 1933, William E. Dodd is selected US ambassador to Nazi Germany. Dodd takes his family with him. At first, his daughter Martha is entranced by the parties, pomp, and young men of the Third Reich. But as evidence of Jewish persecution mounts, her father telegraphs his concerns to a largely indifferent State Department back home. With alarm, Dodd watches as Jews are attacked and the press is censored. As the year unfolds, the Dodds experience days of excitement, romance—and ultimately horror as Hitler reveals his true character. An addictively readable work that speaks volumes about why the world did not recognize Hitler as a threat until Berlin, and Europe, were awash in blood and terror.

While I can see why some of the readers [below] did not like the detail in the book, it might be because the ambassador Dodd is an odd character. On the one hand he does not have the courage of his convictions and certainly is a racist. He admits that USA has a 'Jew' problem ( in the 1930's) and his distain for 'coloured people' is evident in the final chapters of his life. On the other hand, an insight into the real lives of people who lived during the rise of Hitler is well worth all that detail. I think the author had so much material he had trouble paring it down. We are, to this day, asking ourselves 'how did this happen in the 20th century' and this book goes a long way to explain how it happened. It is an easy read, the characters are not all likable nor morally upstanding but they are real and the author is honest in his portrayal of a flawed ambassador who was the best of a bad lot of pretentious ambassadors in Europe at the time.

Have to agree with Michelle - just could not wade through all the non-relevant drivel. Made it more than 1/2 way but had a stack of books that seemed way more interesting so just quit reading. Was disappointed as author had been recommended to me.

I listened to this book on audio and STILL could not get through it. The storyline had good potential, but Larson wrote in WAY too much detail, repeatedly going off on irrelevant tangents. It read like a history text book, very dry, too many facts and not enough story. I was unimpressed by the lack of creativity. Did learn some interesting things about the Nazis and Germany at this time, and would have liked to learn more, but I just couldn't bear it any longer. Very disappointed.

Excellent book, exceedingly well-researched and well-written as we've come to expect of Larson. I consider myself to be a bit of a history buff and had already heard of Martha Dodd, but the details of Ambassador Dodd and his family's experiences in Germany were fascinating.

This was a disappointing read. I was expecting a compelling narrative along the lines of Larson's Devil in the White City. While he does gives us a vivid portrait of daily life in Berlin in the first years of the Nazi regime, I wish he had focused on more interesting people, especially Americans in Berlin who were challenging the accepted view of the regime. I did learn some interesting history,such as the "trial" against the Nazis in Central Park, and the plot to try to overthrow Hitler. But there are some loose ends, such as what happened to the family in the ambassador's residence after the ambassador left? It's as if Larson focused on the least interesting person at the center of these events.

Erik Larson's books make history come to life through fascinating stories. This story is no different. Larson gives the reader a view through the eyes of the Dodds inside Hitler's Berlin. I felt that this book was a lot more detailed than The Devil in the White City. Mr. Dodd and his daughter Martha kept journals about their daily lives in Berlin. A lot of the information in this book is pulled from this. I enjoyed every bit of it and highly recommend.

An interesting perspective on Hitler's rise to power, which held my interest, even on a second reading. I am not fond of Larson's style, but would recommend the book.

ZZZZ. Couldn't even finish it. Way too detailed. I was just shy of half way through when I gave up. Very interesting story, but painfully descriptive.

An interesting look at the events in Germany under Hitler's control prior to World War II. I really like the information as given, through the letters and journals of the family of the American ambassador and other foreign diplomats.